This must be the place
It’s a lot harder than it looks. Stepping up to the first tee of the disc golf course at Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, Wyo., I was handed what looked like a smaller, heavier, more defined type of Frisbee. It was my first time ever playing it, and first time actually hearing about the sport.
“Throw it like a Frisbee, but don’t throw it like a Frisbee, you know what I mean?” my friend said. “Be precise with where you want to throw it, but also take your time and have a fluid motion when releasing it.”
I took the advice and chucked the plastic disc to the best of my ability. Immediately, it smashed into the nearby tree and got stuck on a branch high above our heads. For the next 15 minutes we threw rocks and broken branches at the lost disc to free it. Soon, it toppled down, now covered in a sticky sap from the impact to the tree.
That was 2008. Nowadays, you can find me throwing discs every other day on one of the many courses dotting this region. I’ve become obsessed, to say the least. Alongside trail running, hiking and mountain biking, disc golf has become one of my favorite outdoor activities — it really is that much fun.
Sure, it may look dumb, simple, and perhaps childish, from the sidelines. But, I challenge you to grab a disc and try to make the bucket in the distance in three shots for par. For me, I use the sport as a way to cross-train and get off the pavement, where I can sprint between shots and up hills on the course. I get a workout in, and I get to have fun.
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Western North Carolina is home to several fantastic disc golf courses. Here are a handful of my favorites, for beginners all the way up to expert levels:
Beginner — Catamount Links, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee
It’s pretty impossible for one to lose their disc on this course. Looping around the athletic fields, there are wide-open spaces and sparse tree lines. Though there are only 13 holes, many of them are extended in length, and a real treat to be able to truly chuck your disc without fear of it disappearing.
Key hole: #1. Between the launch pad and bucket is the WCU “Pride of the Mountains” marching band practice field. Cool to watch and play around, but be aware of your throw.
Trouble hole: #4. With the bucket in front of a pond, play it safe or else you’ll be fishing out your disc.
Intermediate — Waynesville Disc Golf Course, Waynesville Recreation Center
Though plenty of the holes are very welcoming for beginners, there are definitely some difficult ones. If you don’t know the 18-hole course, which can be a little tricky to navigate, ask the center for a complimentary map, or simply ask around (lots of folks play this course).
Key hole: #14. Quite possibly one of the nicest mountain viewpoints in town, the launch pad is absolutely gorgeous to throw from, especially nearing sunset.
Trouble hole: #14. As pretty as it is, this hole can also be a terror. Play it conservative if you’re not sure how to “attack” the bucket. Throw it too hard to the left, you’re in poison ivy. Too hard to the right and you’ll have to ask the center to help get your disc off their roof.
Advanced — Haywood Community College, Clyde
I love this course. Not too many folks around. Holes meander into the woods, which surround the school. Nice trails. The 18-holes are somewhat challenging, but not too far out of reach for intermediate players.
Key hole: #16. Launch pad is situated right in front of an apple tree grove. On a sunny southern afternoon, there’s no place I’d rather throw from.
Trouble hole: #17. Your love of #16 can quickly diminish if you throw your disc too hard and it winds up in the nearby pond bordering the bucket. Throw more to the right and play it safe.
Expert — Richmond Hill, Asheville
Quite possibly my favorite disc course, anywhere. I love (love!) playing Richmond Hill. It’s 18 holes of utter chaos looping around a wooded mountain ridge. One hole you’re throwing way uphill, the next it’s back down the other side. Very challenging, but if played with respect and caution (for intermediate players), one can have the time of their lives out there.
Key hole: #9. As rough and tough as this hole is, aesthetically it’s the reason (and ultimate goal) why we disc golf freaks play this sport day in and day out.
Trouble hole: #5. Simply put, you can’t see the bucket over the hill from the launch pad. With woods on both sides of the path, and with a bad throw, you could spend awhile tracking down your disc.
Out-of-Bounds — Victor Ashe Park, Knoxville
If you have a free afternoon or are in the city for whatever reason, track down this course. Every time I’m even in the vicinity of this old golf course turned 18-hole disc-lovers dream, I find time to play it. Nice open fairways. Very picturesque, not too hard for beginners, but it also provides a challenge for more advanced players.
Key hole: #1. Right off the bat, you’re throwing from the top of a hill and over a pond to the bucket. It’s as beautiful as it is easy to lose your disc.
Trouble hole: #1. Throw it hard, throw it straight, and pray your disc doesn’t land in the watery abyss below.
As well, there are also courses at Bethel Elementary (9), Meadowbrook Elementary (9), Bear Lake Reserve (9) and the Jackson County Recreation Center (18). For more information on the sport of disc golf and course locations, click on www.pdga.org.
Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.
Hot picks
1Funk/rock act The Fritz will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 26 at Nantahala Brewing in Bryson City.
2ColorFest: Dillsboro Fine Arts & Crafts Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4 in downtown Dillsboro.
3Celtic/hard rock band Cutthroat Shamrock will perform at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville.
4The Uptown Gallery will host the First Saturday — Art on Main from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4 in downtown Franklin.
5Bluegrass/gospel group Balsam Range will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Colonial Theatre in Canton.
